A security guard directed the president out from under the approaching car.
The car is coming, get out from below! Atte Kajova
President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs. Jenni Haukio’s state visit to Sweden is coming to an end.
The visit was to take a dramatic turn, as Niinistö wanted to stay under the car in the courtyard of the Royal Castle during the departure ceremonies.
The royals watched from the sidelines as a security guard guided the car in front of the car in the middle of the road to the less dangerous waters at the last minute.
A photographer from Iltalehti who was present says that there was a small slam with the cars at the opening ceremony in Kuninkaanlinna.
The location of the cars changed at the last minute, and the president, Mrs. Haukio, and the royals came out of a different door than what the car drivers had prepared for.
Party guests had to wait for cars in the gate cone. As Niinistö wondered where the cars were, he inadvertently walked in the middle of the gate conway. At the same time, the car crashed into it. The security guard rescued Niinistö in front of the car.
The chain of events sparked amused reactions from Niinisto, Haukio and members of the royal family.
Haukio directed Niinistö to the car while the royal family remained waiting for their own cars in the gate cone.
See a series of photos from the event below:
Safe with others. Atte Kajova
After all, it went to laughter. Atte Kajova
All’s well That ends well. Atte Kajova
The royals waved to those traveling to the airport. Atte Kajova